The Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) of the University of Macau (UM) has recently announced the results of the outstanding academic staff awards 2024/2025, and Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG of the Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management has been awarded the “Outstanding Teaching Award” for his outstanding performance in teaching innovation and student-teacher interaction. This award recognizes Prof. FONG’s years of dedication to education and fully affirms his contributions to talent cultivation and academic research.
Interdisciplinary Leaders in Academia and Public Affairs
Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG is currently the Director of Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming and Professor of the Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management at the University of Macau. He also serves as a member of the Tourism Development Committee, a member of the Consultative Committee of Statistics of the Macao SAR Government (UM Representative) and a member of the Chief Executive Election Committee. He has served as a member of various advisory boards and committees of the SAR Government, including: Economic Development Committee, Talent Development Committee, Social Welfare Committee, etc. He was also appointed by the Chief Executive as a former Deputy of the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Macao (2017-2021). His cross-disciplinary experience has provided him with multiple perspectives for his teaching and research, and facilitated the in-depth articulation between academic achievements and public policies.
Emphasis on Teaching Theory and Practice
During his more than thirty years of teaching career, Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG has built up an outstanding reputation as a highly respected educator in the academic community and the students.
Since 2003, when the University of Macau launched the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Hospitality and Gaming Management (now known as the BSc in International Integrated Resort Management), Prof. FONG has been deeply involved in the development of the discipline and has witnessed the growth and development of Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management. He has taught undergraduate, master’s and doctoral courses in the department, including “Global Issues in Resort and Gaming Management”, “Gaming and Casino Operation Management”, “Contemporary Issues in International Integrated Resort Management”, etc. In his teaching, Prof. FONG emphasizes the transfer of knowledge in the classroom and guides students to think critically and creatively through industry case studies. In addition, Prof. FONG is also committed to creating experiential learning outside the classroom for students. He has led study missions to Las Vegas year after year, building a cross-cultural and cross-field practice platform for students through field research and industry exchanges, which effectively broadens their academic horizons and industry knowledge. Many of the outstanding students have now become core talents in Macau’s gaming and hotel management fields.
In addition, Prof. FONG is also responsible for the teaching of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. Considering the characteristics that most DBA students are senior executives, he has designed an innovative teaching framework that combines academic rigor and practical insights. By organizing field trips to Macau’s top integrated resorts and inviting global resort executives to share cutting-edge trends with students as guest speakers, Prof. FONG has been greatly recognized for his teaching abilities. At the same time, he has actively participated in the promotion of the DBA program, and in the sharing sessions in Beijing and Shanghai, he used the economic characteristics of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao as an entry point to clearly explain the advantages of the program’s industry linkage, which has injected a strong impetus into the enrollment. In addition, he has guided more than ten students to complete high-quality research with the core concepts of “Critical Thinking Stimulation” and “Practical Feedback,” which has been recognized as a model of guidance that is both academically in-depth and workplace-oriented. He is regarded as a guide for both academic and professional development by the students with his academic depth and career-oriented guidance.
Academic Leadership and Industry Empowerment
As the Director of Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG has led a team that has promoted the academic and professional development of gaming research in Macau. The Institute is the first academic institution focusing on gaming research in Macau, and has been providing policy consultation, professional training and industry research services to the government and social organizations, as well as promoting “Responsible Gaming” in Macau. In recent years, Prof. FONG’s team has deepened interdisciplinary collaboration with other faculties of the University of Macau to carry out cutting-edge research on mechanisms of gaming addiction, addiction prevention, as well as the neuroscience of gaming and decision-making. In addition, the Institute has launched the Diploma in Casino Management programme and Advanced Diploma in Gaming Management programme to provide systematic training for industry practitioners and to help build up a professional gaming workforce in Macau.
Industry Insight and Public Communication
As an expert in hospitality, tourism and gaming, Prof. Davis Ka Chio FONG is also active in the community. On behalf of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming and the Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management, Prof. FONG is frequently interviewed by various media organizations, expressing his unique views on the policy adjustments of the gaming industry in Macau, as well as industry trends, which provide the public with a professional understanding of the dynamics of the industry. In addition, Prof. FONG is often invited to participate in large-scale industry-related events as a guest speaker to share industry knowledge and the latest developments, and has extensive influence and a good reputation in the industry.
